Brad Pitt May Sentence Jesus Christ To Crucifixion In Pontius Pilate

It's entirely possible that in a few years time we will identify Brad Pitt as the man who killed Jesus Christ.

New reports have surfaced online saying that the A-list star is now contemplating signing on for Pontius Pilate, a new period drama set up over at Warner Bros. that explores the biblical tale of the man who sentenced the Christian savior to be killed by crucifixion. The script was written by Vera Blasi (Woman on Top) and while Pitt isn't currently officially attached, that could change very soon.

Deadline, which first reported the potential casting news, has a full breakdown of the script, having received a copy of it after the project was announced last August. A biopic of sorts, the movie sees Lucius Pontius Pilate grow to become a strong warrior under Roman Emperor Tiberius and a prefect of Judea. The movie, which the site describes as "a Biblical era Twilight Zone episode" and "reminiscent of such films as Braveheart and Gladiator," sees Pilate do what he believes to be right, but end up in over his head. New Testament figures like Caligula , John the Baptist, Salome and Mary Magdalene all play roles in the drama as well.

It's also said that the project is much less polarizing than Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, and goes as far as to "explain the motivations of religious leaders like the Jewish high priest Caiaphas (who engineers Christ’s demise)."

Even if he doesn't end up taking the lead in Pontius Pilate, be prepared to hear Pitt's name a lot more this year. The star has three films confirmed to come out this year, with World War Z due out in June; Steve McQueen's Twelve Years A Slave expected during award season, and the Ridley Scott/Cormac McCarthy drug thriller The Counselor set for November.